Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Return To Paradise ❯ Dissention in the Ranks ( Chapter 14 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

WARNING: LEMON!

/……../= Ryou to Bakura through mindlink

//…….//=Bakura to Ryou through mindlink

Dissension Among The Ranks

Marik knocked on Seto's office door with a yawn. “I never thought I'd spend my afterlife working. I thought I'd be laying down by the River sipping wine with women groping me from head to toe. Where are the women with the grapes?”

“Come in.”

Marik opened the door to Seto's office. “You wanted to see me?”

Seto pointed to the chair in front of his desk. “Sit down. We have a problem.”

Marik rolled his eyes and closed the door behind him. “When DON'T we have a problem, I wonder.” He arrived at the chair and sat down, crossing his arms and legs. “So what is it this time?”

“Rocher was here. He is demanding KaibaCorp stock and my resignation in exchange for his silence.”

“Silence?”

Seto sighed and rubbed his temples. “Rocher has the security tapes of you breaking into his place and using your Rod.”

“That sounds naughty,” he said with a grin.

“Don't you understand?! Rocher can expose you and have you arrested! He has proof of your powers!”

Marik rolled his eyes. “How were we supposed to know he has the hidden cameras?!”

“It's not something you exactly can find easily. Nobody knows we do the same trick here.”

Marik tapped a finger against his arm. “So what do you suppose we do?”

“I'm not sure, exactly. I told Rocher I refuse to give him KaibaCorp stocks. That is what he wants. He wants to use this situation to his advantage and put me out of business.”

Marik stood up and ran his fingers through his hair. He walked towards the wall of window panes and looked down at the city. “Is my family in danger?”

“I don't think he knows where you live. But I wouldn't put it past them to do their research. Your picture and your family's pictures are all over the tabloids. All they need to do is a little digging and they are sure to find it.”

Marik crossed his arms again and looked down at the city. “My family…..”

Seto slowly walked over to the yami. “I can't say what these people will be willing to do.”

“I don't want my family to suffer because of me. I don't want to see Malik or any one of my family members' hurt.” Marik half-turned his head to Kaiba. “This is a very dangerous situation, Seto.”

Seto stood by the contemplative yami. “Rocher is a dangerous man.”

Marik took a deep breath. “I'll have to have a long chat with Itemri about this.”

“I would talk to everyone, even your children. You don't want them to be in the dark, especially when their safety could be in jeopardy, too.”

“Marik nodded. “Very true. I'll tell Itemri to talk to Aria. I'll talk with my boy. Robbie's here.We should talk to him before he goes home.”

Seto walked over to the phone and dialed Robbie's extension. “Robert, I need to see you in my office ASAP.”

Marik tapped his finger on his arm. “I can't move my family. They'll find us no matter where we are,” he said quietly to himself.

“I could put you under surveillance 24-7.”

Marik bit his lip. ”Itemri watches the house during the day. He sleeps when I get home.”
”I thought he goes out at night to do his own business.”

Marik sighed again. “He takes cat-naps. I've told him he can't keep that up forever.”

Seto looked up at the Egyptian. “I still think you need extra help. I know you're proud, Marik, but you have to see that sometimes, everyone needs a backup.”

“Let me talk it over with Itemri and see what he wants to do.”

A knock sounded on the door and Robbie cracked the door open slightly. “Seto? You wanted to see me?”

“Come in, Robert. Shut the door.”

Robbie shut the door behind him and limped inside. “Hi, Marik.”

The yami turned and walked towards Seto's desk. He sat on the edge of the desk and crossed his arms. “Robbie, we have a serious matter to discuss.”

“What serious matter? Is this about Mira? Seto, I just want to get her covered until someone claims her.”

“What?” Marik asked with a raised eyebrow.

“This isn't about her,” Seto said.

“Wait. Who's Mira? I'm confused,” Marik said, shifting his gaze between Robbie and Seto.

The CEOsat back on his leather chair with a grin. “You're a granddaddy, Marik. Congrats.”

Marik blinked. “Robbie pushed out a kid?”

Robbie chuckled. “No ! I took in a baby that was abandoned on my doorstep. I told the cops she was abandoned and, as far as I know, they are looking for her mother.”

“I had no idea! Robbie, why didn't you tell me? Why didn't Aten tell me? His own father!”

Robbie shrugged. “I've been busy taking care of her. She's sick now.”

“How sick?”

Robbie looked at Seto. “The doctor called me back. The lab found Cocaine in her system and LSD. She's going through major drug withdrawl. That's why she's been shaking and crying so badly.”

“No idea who her parents are?”

Robbie shook his head. “Not a clue. All I got was a note saying `She's yours. Deal with it.' No name. No nothing.”

“We'll have to come see her. But first, we have a major issue at hand.”

“Which is?”

Seto leaned back in his chair. “Rocher has demanded my resignation or he will release video of Marik using his Millennium Rod's powers.”

Robbie looked at Marik. “Can he prove it was you?”

“It's hard to miss me. There's not a lot of Rod-wielding Egyptians with dark skin around Domino.”

Robbie looked at Seto. “What does that have to do with me?”

“Rocher is a violent man, Robbie. He has people who can track you and Aten down.”

“We're not telling you this to scare you, Rob. We want to inform you, of any potential danger. Rocher is a threat we can't ignore.”

Robbie tooka deep breath. “What is the plan?”

Rocherseems to be focused on Marik and I. I don't believe he knows where you and Aten live. I think I am going to send Asher to your place to keep an eye on things. Marik, I'm sending Maxie to your home. I'm sure Itemri will appreciate a little brath. He needs his sleep. He might be dead, but I'm sure even the dead need some rest.”

Marik snickered. “Tell me about it. I always thought I'd be laying by the Nile in the Underworld being fed grapes. But now look at me. I've been reduced to wearing a suit and tie slaving over a hot desk.”

“You can be such a drama queen!”

“You do not slave. I have a five hour surveillance tape of you playing with a Rubix cube and then sending it to the Shadow Realm.”

“It pissed me off! The damn thing wouldn't work!”

Seto shook his head. “I'll be sure to get you a new one for your birthday.”

“I take the money, thank you.”

Robbie shifted in his seat uncomfortably. “Won't we be calling attention to ourselves by having protection?”

“I want you protected, Robbie.”

“Rocher may ignore you, he might not. I'm not going to take a chance at your safety. I'd rather be safe and send Asher there, than burying you and your family.”

Robbie swallowed hard. “When you put it that way. I guess you win.”

“Marik, ride home with Maxie tonight. Your car will be safe here.”

“Well, if Itemri needs the car tonight. He'll have to come here and break into it.”

Robbie stood up. “Dad will be here soon to pick me up.”

“Asher will follow you home.”

“Okay. Goodbye, Seto.”

“Have a good day, Rob,” the two men said.

Robbie left and Marik sat in Robbie's chair.

He ran his fingers through his hair. “I thought the afterlife was going to be easier than this,” he said with a sigh. Seto leaned back in his chair and shook his head. “Nothing is easy…even in death, I can imagine.”

Marik looked at the clock. “Despite it all, it's been a good afterlife….and eventful. I've settled down, raised children. I have the family in death I never had in life. I wouldn't change it for anything. I think I shouldvisit Aten. I've been so pre-occupoied with the media circus that I haven't taken the time to see my own boy. I better go. Maxie's coming with me?”

“For now, yeah.”

Marik stood up. “If you hear anymore from Rocher--.”

“I'll call you.”

“Keep me updated. I don't see me getting much sleep tonight, anyway.”

********************************

Robbie limped to his father's car clutching the cane tightly. “I must have walked too much today. My foot is killing me, “he said to his father as he approached.

“Take it easy on it tonight, then, Soldier.”

“Where's Aten?”

Daniel looked at his son. “Aten was hurt today. I don't know what happened.”

“Hurt? How?!”

“Well, he unconscious on the front step with a bruise to his face. That's about it.”

Robbie swallowed hard. “I hope he's okay. We have to wait for Asher. He's coming home with us.”

“Why?”

Robbie wrung his hands nervously. “Seto's making sure this Rocher guy doesn't pose a threat to us. Come on, Asher….”

“Aten's going to be okay, Robbie.”

Robbie took a deep breath. “So much to worry about….”

Daniel put a hand on Robbie's shoulder. “Deep breath. Cool heads prevail, you know.”

Asher walked down the steps and entered the car. “Mr. Kaiba said to go home with you.”

“Well, Asher, it's good to have you with us. Miranda's ordering out for pizza tonight.”

“Asher, Aten was hurt and I don't know what happened.”

Asher grinned into the rear-view mirror. “I'll make them burn for that.”

“Just don't burn down our home, Asher,” Daniel said.

“I like fire. Fire good.”

Daniel took a deep breath and looked sideways at Robbie.

Robbie fidgeted with his hands as they drove home. “How is Mira?”

“Mira's eating a little better. She slept for these hours today while Aten was gone.”

“How was Aten, before his appointment?”

Daniel shrugged. “Seemed okay to me. He seems to take longer and longer to eat. It's taking him a time to swallow anything. It looked like it's getting difficult to him.”

“I've noticed he's cutting his food smaller and smaller.”

“Your mom had to remind him that today was Friday and he had his appointment with Chapman. He thought it was Thursday.”

Robbie rubbed the sides of his head. “What am I going to do about him?”

Daniel sighed. “Be there for him. That's about all you can do.”

“I guess so. It's hard seeing him like that.”

“He's still your husband, though.”

Robbie sighed. “I know. I know.”

Daniel arrived at home and Robbie was out of the car quickly. He limped up to the door and hurried inside. Robbie sat beside Aten on the couch. “Aten….wake up,” he whispered. He reached out and touched Aten's face lightly.

Miranda held the baby girl. “He's still breathing. I've been changing that cold compress on his head.”

“How's his arm?”

“Arm?”

Daniel lifted Aten's arm and inspected the skin. “That looks like a bruise on the skin. It's hard to tell with his dark skin.”

Robbie raised his eyebrow and leaned close to Aten neck. “His skin looks like it's changing color. His skin his getting darker right at the base of his neck.”

Daniel leaned in to inspect. “It is. Has he always been this cold to the touch?”

Robbie shook his head. “No, but I have noticed it lately. Some nights it's like I'm sleeping next to an ice cube.”

Aten gave a quick moan and opened his eyes slowly.

“Aten, it's okay. You're home.”

Aten's eyes scanned his surroundings. “What?”

“Home. You are home.”

“Who?”

“Robbie. It's me. You'll be okay.”

Aten winced. “My cheek hurts.”

Daniel nodded. “I should say so. Somebody whacked you one.”

“VAN!” Aten screamed.

Robbie put his hands on Aten's arms. “It's gone, Aten. You're safe now.”

“A van! People! Needle! Blood! Woman!”

“It's all over,” Daniel said. ”It's all over. You're with your family now.”

Aten pulled Robbie down and held him close. “Robbie….”

Asher looked outside the window. “No van.”

“No, there was nothing when we found him outside either.”

Robbie pet Aten's white and blond hair. “You're safe.”

Aten's fingers buried into Robbie's curly, black hair. “I don't know what they wanted.”

Miranda brought Aten a cup of water. Aten reached out for it. His hand began to shake and he spilled it.

“Sorry,” he said looking up at her with teary eyes.

“It's okay, Aten. I'll get you another cup.”

When she returned with the cup. Robbie put his hands over Aten's to steady Aten's shaking hands. He tilted the cup and held it steady with Aten was done drinking.

Robbie put the empty cup on the table and watched Aten lay his head back down on the pillow.

“I don't know what they wanted….all I know is that thye put a needle in my arm and asked me about my family.”

Robbie looked up at Asher. “Does that sound like an M.O. of Rocher?”

Asher shook his head. “No. That man not do that.”

“Who could have done that?”

The baby girl begun to cry in Miranda's arms.

“Here, mom. Give her to me.”

Robbie took the crying baby in his arm. He continued petting Aten's soft hair as he rocked the baby slowly.

“Your dad might stop over, Aten. I was telling him about Miracle.”

Daniel shook his head. “If she was born addicted to Cocaine, her mom could have birthed her in an alley. Other than the police report Robbie filed, there may not be any official record of her existence. Technically, she is still Baby Jane Doe.”

“Dad's right,” Robbie said. “Aten, we'll have to name her.”

Miranda stood beside Robbie and pet the baby's head gently. “Well, we've had Christa and Angel. Miracle would fit the theme.”

Robbie turned to Aten. “You can give her a middle name, Aten. You're her—ummm---daddy, too.”

Aten sighed as he rubbed his forehead. “Zahra?”

“'Miracle Flower?' That sounds pretty.”

“Miracle Zahra Ishtar-Morgan.”

Miranda smiled. “That's different.”

Robbie rocked the baby slowly as she stopped crying. He continued running his fingers through Aten's hair.

Asher continued to look outside the window. “Truck pulled up.”

Aten's eyes widened and he gripped onto Robbie's hand. “We can't stay here. We have to go.”

Daniel stepped beside Asher and looked outside. “No, it's the pizza van, boys. Everything's okay.”

Aten breathed a sigh of relief as Daniel stepped outside for the pizza.

“Are you hungry, Aten?”

Aten shook his head. “No….not really.”

“You should try and eat something, Aten. You have to keep your strength up.”

“I guess so,” the Egyptian sighed again.

Daniel returned with the pizza and Robbie stood up.

“I'll put Mira to bed. She's dead asleep now.”

Aten sat up slowly and rubbed his head. He winced as he touched his cheek. Asher stood by Aten and looked at the cheek.

“That looks like a bad owie.”

“I've had worse. I'll be okay.”

Aten went to stand up, but his legs gave out under him. Asher caught the teen before he could fall. “I'm so tired, Asher. I feel weak.”

“Did you eat?”

“Today? Yeah, I did. I've just been more tired lately.”

“Can you stand up on your own?”

Aten released his grip on Asher and steadied himself. “I'll try to do it on my own.”

Asher watched the teen take an uncertain step around the coffeetable. The teen winced as he walked placing a hand on his chest and using the other to steady himself using the furniture. The teen looked as he was having great difficulty moving around.

“Asher, come in for some pizza,” Daniel said.

“Okay. I come.”

Aten slowly moved to the kitchen table after grabbing a fork and knife.

Robbie returned to the kitchen and licked his lips hungrily at the scent of the pizza. “I'm famished!”

“How was work today, Robbie?” Miranda asked, grabbing a slice of pizza.

“Busy.”

Aten took a piece of pizza and began cutting it up into tiny, bite-sized pieces. “I did some painting today.”

“So I hear. I heard you forgot about your appointment today with Chapman. Mom reminded you.”

Aten nodded. “I forgot what day it was. I thought it was some other day.”

“Do you think it's the meds?”

“I don't know. I have been busy getting my paintings finished. I have to make sure they're done the way I want them.”

Robbie chewed quietly thinking about Aten's recent memory impairment. He watched his husband eat slowly. The pizza slice was now a mushy blob of sauce and cheese.

Aten only placed a little amount of food on his fork and put it in his mouth.

“Asher, what have you been doing with yourself?” Miranda asked.

“…..Burning things.”

Daniel blinked. “What kind of things?”

Asher grinned. “Things that burn nice and crispy.”

Daniel shifted his eyes between Miranda and Asher. “Okay…….Asher, you do remember what I said in the car, right? No burning down our home.”

“Asher no burn your home. You are nice. I only burn mean things…things that are bad.”

Aten coughed hard. His eyes widened. He tried breathing in air, but he began to gag. Aten hit his chest and continued to cough.

“Aten?” Robbie asked. “Take a drink.”

Aten shook his head back and forth hitting his back and gasping for breath.

“Aten? Aten! Are you choking?!” Robbie asked, tensing up.

Aten sat back from the table and hit his chest, making himself wince in pain. His face began to turn color as he gasped for air.

“Dad! Do something!” Robbie exclaimed, standing up and going to Aten. He pat Aten's back, trying to dislodge the food.

“Stand back, Rob,” Daniel said, standing up. He pulled Aten to his feet and began performing the Heimlich. Daniel pressed in and up as the Egyptian teen gasped for air, holding his throat.

“Dad, don't hurt him!” Robbie begged.

“Come on….Aten,” Daniel grunted as he continued the Heimlich.

Aten coughed up the piece of crust and cheese that was choking him.

Daniel helped the Egyptian to his seat and put a hand on his shoulder. “You okay there?”

Aten nodded and coughed. “Yes…….thank you….”

Robbie hugged Aten. “Thank you, dad!”

“You don't spend years in the military or on a ship without knowing a few things about first aid.”

“You okay, Aten?” Miranda asked.

Aten nodded. “I'm having a hard time swallowing food.”

“But you are breathing okay? Do you think it's an allergy to one of your medicines?”

Aten shook his head and sipped his drink. “No, I've been on these medications as long as I can remember. None of them have ever done that to me before.” He put down his fork and looked up at Miranda. “I don't think I should eat this.”

“What about soup?”

Aten nodded. “Chicken broth.”

“I'll heat you up some,” she said getting out of her chair.

The Egyptian sat at the table looking guilty at his plate. “I wanted to eat. I really did.”

“Aten, it's okay. If pizza's too hard for you to swallow, we can always get something you can eat,” Daniel said. “We can adapt.”

Robbie put his hand on Aten's arm. “Hey, don't worry about it, okay? We have plenty of lighter things here to eat.”

“I thought I could handle pizza.”

Robbie gave him a smile. “Don't sweat it, babe. We need to get rid of that broth sooner or later.”

Aten sighed and looked up at Robbie. “Do you think……” Aten hesitated and looked down at his plate.

“What is it?”

“Do you think……you could sleep in our room tonight?”

Robbie nodded. “Sure. I think I could manage that.”

A smile crossed Aten's face. “Thank you.”

Miranda served Aten some chicken broth and continued to eat her dinner.

Aten sipped his broth with a spoon and yawned after he was finished. “I'm going upstairs to bed. I'm exhausted.”

“I'll be up in a few, Aten,” Robbie said.

Aten stood up slowly and stumbled backwards.

“Asher, help him upstairs,” Robbie said.

Asher stood up and took Aten's arm. “I take you to your room.”

Aten nodded tiredly. “Okay.”

Robbie watched Aten and Asher leave the room. Robbie closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead. “So much to think about…..”

“I've never seen him do that before,” Daniel said.

Miranda put down her pizza and nodded. “I've seen it. Christa had a hard time swallowing in her final weeks.”

Robbie closed his eyes. “I'm going to make him better. With a little time, it will happen.”

“Robbie, be realistic about this,” Daniel said.

Robbie sighed. “I can't concentrate. I can't think about Aten dying.”

“Robbie, we have to make him comfortable as we can. That is about all we can do until a donor comes through.”

Robbie sighed. “I'll finish my dinner later, mom and dad. I'm going to see how Aten's doing.”

Robbie stood up and walked up the stairs. Asher was waiting at the top of the stairs.

“Aten in bed.”

“Thank you, Asher. You keep a good eye out for Rocher and his thugs. You never know what he'll do.”

“Asher protect Robbie and family. Robbie no worry about nothing.”

“Thank you, Asher. Have a good night.”

Robbie limped into his bedroom and saw Aten turned away laying on the bed. He heard a sniffle come from the bed. “Aten?”

Aten cried on the bed quietly as his husband approached him.

“Aten, it's okay. You're alright now,” he said sitting beside his husband.

“I can't do anything right…..”

“Aten, it was a mistake. It's not a big issue. I'm just glad you weren't hurt.”

Aten sniffled. “I don't know why I've been having problems like that lately.”

Robbie rubbed Aten's arm. “It's understandable. We can work with it.”

Aten turned around and put his head on Robbie's lap. He looked up into the crystal-blue eyes of his lover. “What will happen when I can't even feed myself?”

“I'll be happy to help you, Aten.”

“What about when you are at work?”

Robbie sat silently. “Are you thinking about hospice? Having people come in here? Will you be comfortable with that?”

Aten shrugged. “At least they'll know when I have to take my medications and what I have to take. Your mom has been reminding me to take my medications since I can't remember.”

“Well, it may be something we'll have to look into.”

“Just one thing. I don't want them to help me wash myself. I don't want anyone doing that.”

Robbie nodded. “I understand. You won't have to do anything you don't want to.”

Aten sniffled and shifted over on the bed. Robbie laid beside him and placed the cane on the floor.

Robbie lifted up his hand and lightly touched Aten's cheek. A small smile crossed his lips. “I love you, Aten.”

Aten sniffled and rubbed his eye. “Sorry if I scared you with my choking.”

“No, don't apologize. We'll get some foods that you won't have a problem eating. How's your cheek?”

“Hurts.”

Robbie nodded as his hand drifted down to Aten's chest. “I'm so glad you weren't seriously injured.”

The Egyptian grabbed his lover and pulled him against his body. Aten pressed his cold cheek against Robbie's cheek. The Caucasian teen shivered with the chilled skin.

“Aten, you're like a block of ice!”

“Oh, sorry,” he said releasing Robbie.

Robbie grinned and pulled Aten against him. “No, don't be sorry.”

Robbie pet Aten's hair and kissed Aten on the cheek. His hands ran up and down Aten's back, pulling the Egyptian into a secure embrace. Aten let Robbie kiss his lips as Robbie's breathing intensified.

Aten was pulled into a hungry kiss as he began to touch Robbie's cheek. Robbie reached over his lover and grabbed a blanket. He put the blanket over Aten and broke the kiss.

“You are stone cold. Are you feeling okay?”

Aten began to shiver. “It is cold in here.” The Egyptian covered his mouth and began to cough.

Robbie rubbed his own forehead from the heat in the room. He managed a small smile at his husband. He noticed Aten beginning to wheeze. “Do you need another pillow?”

Aten nodded. “Yes, please.”

Robbie handed Aten a spare pillow of his own. Aten lifted his head and placed his head on the new pillow.

“Thank you.”

Robbie kissed Aten's forehead. “Anytime.”

Aten closed his eyes and snuggled close to Robbie. “Comfy…..”

Robbie smiled and continued to rub Aten's back until the Egyptian drifted off to sleep.

*******************************

Marik pushed through the crowd with Maxine and entered the home. Malik jumped at him with a happy cheer. “YAMI!” Malik wrapped his arms around Marik's neck and kissed his cheek.

“What's this all about?”

Malik giggled. “Just welcoming you home! Do I need a reason to glomp you?”

Marik grinned and returned a long, hungry kiss of his own.

“Maxine? What are you doing here?” Ryou asked.

“Seto sent me for extra protection for you.”

“Protection?”

Marik looked up at Ryou. “Where's Itemri?”

“Upstairs sleeping. Why?”

Marik sighed. “I was hoping to talk to him.”

“He's exhausted, Marik. Give him another hour or so.”

Malik nodded. “He was so tired he fell on the floor dead tired….umm…no pun intended, Marik.”

“He's really been straining himself.”

Marik nodded. “I know he has. I guess it can wait until he is awake. He can have one more hour to sleep, but after that, I have to wake his ass up.”

Ryou stood up and hugged the blond yami. “I'll wake him up when the time comes.”

“I cooked barbeque chicken for you.”

Marik grinned and licked his lips hungrily. “I love your chicken, Malik.”

“You and your chicken fetish. I didn't really know you were coming, Maxine, but I always make a little extra. Marik liked barbeque sauce on his cock.”

Maxine sighed and shook her head. “Why is that no surprise at all?”

The phone rang. Ryou turned and picked up the receiver. “Hello?”

[Prepare.] a voice said over the phone.

“What?”

[Prepare.]

“Who is this?”

[Prepare.]

The person on the other end of the phone hung up.

“Who was that, Ry?” Marik asked.

Ryou shrugged and hung up the phone. “I don't know.”

“What did they say?”

“Just one word: Prepare.”

Maxine narrowed her eyes. “I wonder if that was Rocher.”

“I don't know if Rocher would know my phone number,” Marik answered.

“Who?” Malik asked.

Marik went to the highback chair and sat down. “Ryou, Malik, the reason why Maxine is here is to give us extra protection. A business rival has set his sight on the destruction of KaibaCorp.”

Ryou and Malik exchanged worried glances.

“Rocher has me on a surveillance video using my Rod.”

Malik wrinkled his nose. “You didn't use the Rod THAT way, did you?”

“Malik, you know we only use the Rod THAT way when I have you tied up, gagged, covered in honey, and blindfolded in the comfort and privacy of our own bedroom.”

Maxine shook her head. “That's more than I needed to know.”

Marik grinned. “Hey, Maxie, what can you do with an egg beater, a cucumber, and a light bulb?”

“I don't know. What can you do with an egg beater, cucumber, and a light bulb?”

“Wouldn't you like to know?” a mischievous grin crossed the yami's face.

“Eww. Gross. Nasty.”

Marik licked his lips. “Don't knock it until you tried it.”

Malik giggled and smiled innocently.

“This Rocher has evidence of our Shadow Magic.”

Ryou bit his lip nervously. “What are we going to do about this? What if he exposes this evidence to the media?!”

“This is why Maxie is here. Rocher is an unpredictable person. I have seen this guy in action. You should see what happened to someone who parked in front of his home in his personal parking space. They were scraping his guts off the concrete after he was shot ten times.”

Ryou wrapped his arms around himself. “This isn't good. What if Rocher does end up giving that evidence to the cops and they come and arrest us?”

“Yeah, Marik, I don't like this. What if they storm the place?”

Marik took Malik and Ryou's hands. “You are both going to be safe. We won't let anything happen to you.”

Ryou and Malik exchanged worried glances again. “The media are still on our tail today, too,” Ryou said. “I found an article which said that our children have Shadow Magic and can be more dangerous than you and Bakura. Marik, what if they go after Aten and Aria?”

“I have to tell Bakura to talk to her. I already talked to Robbie. I think it's a good idea that we all go over to Robbie's home, anyway.”

“Is something wrong with Aten?”

Marik grinned and stood up. He kissed Ryou on the cheek. “We're grandparents.”

Ryou's eyes widened and his jaw dropped. “What?”

“We're grandparents. Apparently, Robbie and Aten took in an abandoned baby. The baby is staying with them now.”

Ryou blinked quietly.

“Ryou? You okay?”

“I had no idea!” Malik exclaimed.

Marik grinned and laughed. “Ryou, you're speechless!”

“Well, yes, I am speechless! I had no idea! Aten didn't tell me anything about it!”

“Baby boy or Baby girl?” Ryou asked.

Marik smiled. “Baby girl.”

“I don't believe it,” Ryou replied. “Really?”

“We have to go over there and check it out after dinner!” Malik said excitedly.

“Yeah, we can.”

“I should wake up Bakura if we want to go over there,” Ryou said, climbing the stairs.

He walked around the banister and opened up the bedroom door slowly. Bakura was laying on his back, his head tilted towards the door. His right arm was draped over his stomach as the other arm was extended. His fingers twitched in his sleep. The yami's eyelids fluttered.

Ryou smiled at his yami's peaceful slumber. He walked around the side of the bed and sat beside the tired yami. “Bakura? Yami?” Ryou whispered, rubbing Bakura's hand. “Wake up. Marik's home. It's time for dinner.”

A moan came from the yami as he turned away from Ryou. He curled up in a fetal position and let out a large snore.

Ryou rubbed Bakura's arm. “Yami, wake up. Dinner.”

“What?” Bakura groaned.

“Dinner. Marik's home.”

Bakura rolled over on his stomach and placed a pillow over his head. “Tired.”

“Bakura, Marik has something important to tell you.”

“About?”

Ryou sighed. “You have to talk to him about it.”

“Okay. Okay. I will.”

“We will be going over to Miranda's, too. Aten and Robbie have a new arrival.”

Bakura snickered. “Aten get Robbie pregnant? Aten must have pounded it to Robbie a little deeper than he thought.”

“No, the baby was abandoned and they are taking care of her. We have to see her, but it's more important you talk to Marik and then call our daughter.”

“Why?”

“You'll have to talk to Marik about that.”

Bakura groaned. “Okay.”

“Maxine is here, too. He'll fill you in on why.”

“Now what did that blond freak do?” Bakura sighed.

Ryou managed a small smile. “You'll see.”

Bakura sat up. “I'm afraid to ask.”

The white-haired yami stood up and stretched. “I'm beat like a drum.”

“I know you are. You've been doing a great job, though. I'm proud of you.”

Bakura chuckled. “I'm doing my job. I promised to protect you. I'll do that forever, my angel.”

“You're sweet,” the hikari smiled.

“I know. I'm about to give myself Diabetes it's so sweet.”

Ryou playfully hit Bakura. “Get your sexy butt downstairs.”

“You still think my ass is sexy after almost twenty years of marriage?”

“It's been that long already?”

Bakura nodded. “You had the kids when you were sixteen. That was eighteen years ago.”

“Yeah, that was a long time ago.”

Bakura walked downstairs followed by his husband and sat beside Marik in the kitchen. “So what's this bullcrap I hear about having to call Aria?”

Marik placed a piece of chicken on his plate and began cutting it up. “A business rival of Kaiba is trying to blackmail Kaiba and has called for his resignation.”

“What does that have to do with us? Why is Maxine here?”

“It's to keep us safe, too, in case Rocher decides to come over here and tries to wreak havoc.”

Bakura sighed and groaned as he bit into his half-raw chicken breast. “Son of a bitch….”

“I'm here to give you a hand in home security,” Maxine said.

“Yeah, Marik, you know what this means. You can't have your twig and berries exposed when you walk down the hallway,” Malik said.

Marik pouted. “I don't think Maxie will mind. She might be impressed.”

“Why do I doubt you?” Maxie asked.

“If you don't believe me, I can whip it out right now.”

Bakura closed his eyes. “NO! I don't need to see that while I'm eating, Ishtar.”

“You don't want to see my cock beside my cock?”

Bakura groaned. “Eat your chicken, chicken freak.”

“I'll get our spare bedroom ready for you, Maxine. How long will you be staying?”

Maxine shrugged. “It depends on how long Seto Kaiba orders me to remain. That could be for the night, or that could be for an extended stay.”

“We'll make the best of it,” Malik said.

“Marik also said that Rocher has evidence of Shadow Magic,” Ryou said.

Bakura spit out a piece of chicken and narrowed his eyes at Marik. “WHAT?!”

“He said he will only release the video if Kaiba doesn't resign, Itemri!”

Bakura clenched his fist angrily. “Seto won't give into blackmail! You know that as much as anyone!”

“Yami, let's not make a scene at the table,” Ryou said quietly. “We have company.”

Bakura took a furious bite into his raw meat and chewed, growling low in his throat.

“How is your dinner, Maxine?”

“It's very good.”

“What about yours, Ry?”

Ryou smiled. “This chicken is perfect, Malik!”

“Bakura? Is your meat still clucking the way you like it?”

Bakura's furious stare was focused on Marik, so he did not answer.

/Yami, Malik asked you a question./

//Marik is a dead man.//

/So are you, yami./

//No….he's really a dead man. He's going to be a man killed over and over again.//

“Bakura likes it,” Ryou told Malik.

Malik grinned proudly as Bakura continued glaring daggers at the other yami.

After dinner, Bakura took his dishes to the sink and walked upstairs, growling. Marik followed Bakura into his room and shut the door.

“Okay. Why does it look like you want to kill me?”

Bakura turned quickly and grabbed Marik's shirt. He slammed Marik against the closed door with a furious snarl. “What did I say about letting out our secret? Didn't I tell you not to do anything stupid?!”

Marik pushed Bakura back. “I had no choice!”

Bakura shoved Marik angrily. “You are the cause of all of this!”

Marik's lip curled into a snarl of his own. “You are not completely blameless! What about your own child summoning the Nightmare Dragon in the god-damned light of day?! Where did your lessons go?! Seems like they fell on deaf ears!”

Bakura growled as his Millennium Ring began to glow. “You were negligent! The safety of this family means nothing to you!”

Marik growled and poked Bakura with the Millennium Rod. “How can you be so fucking sure?!”

“You used your powers when you knew it would be recorded!”

“I disabled the cameras!”

Purple haze began to surround the two yamis as the chill of the Shadow Realm crept from under the door.

“You disabled your brain! Malik and Ryou are in more danger now and it's all because of you!” Bakura snarled. “I've been on guard for the past month! I've gotten no sleep! I've gone without food! I've been busting my ass to make sure that my family is cared for and safe and you have to go screw it all up!”

Marik clenched his fists and cross-punched Bakura's jaw. “I think you need to look at yourself when you say `screw up'!”

“THAT'S IT, ISHTAR!” Bakura snarled as he jumped forward and punched Marik in the nose.

“YOU WANT A BRAWL, ITEMRI?! FINE!”

Marik grabbed a handful of Bakura's hair and punched the yami's jaw again. “You like that?!”

Bakura brought his knee into Marik's stomach and slammed his elbow onto the back of Marik's head. Marik fell to the ground.

“I trusted you to keep this family safe and you let me down,” Bakura growled. “What will happen to Ryou and Malik when that slimeball gets his hands on them?!”

Marik rubbed the back of his head and raised himself to his knees. “He won't get his hands on them, Itemri. I won't let him.”

Bakura leaned down and grabbed Marik's spiky, blond hair. “And how do you intend on rectifying this situation?”

Marik shoved Bakura back angrily. “You get your hands off of me!”

Bakura kept his hand on Marik's hair. “Don't think you are getting away that easy.”

Marik gave Bakura an upper-cut, making Bakura lose his grip. The Egyptian yami stood up.

“I've got this under control, Bakura.”

“You are full of shit, Ishtar!”

A knock sounded on the door. “Bakura?! You okay?!” Ryou's voice echoed through the door.

“Marik?! What's all that noise?” Malik asked.

Marik grabbed Bakura by the neck and slammed him against the wall. “You have this coming to you!” Marik snarled, squeezing tightly.

Bakura punched and kicked the blond yami as his neck was constricted.

The door flew open and Ryou and Malik ran into the room.

“MARIK! LET HIM GO!” Malik barked at Marik.

“MARIK, RELEASE HIM!” Ryou screamed.

Malik wrapped his arm around Marik's neck and pulled him back. Ryou pulled Marik's arm free, struggling.

Marik released Bakura and stepped back.

“What is the matter with you?” Malik asked towards his yami.

“Bakura's acting like a dick!”

Bakura coughed and growled, rubbing his neck. “You are ungrateful!”

Ryou put his arm around Bakura. “What happened here?”

“He told me that I caused all this!” Marik snarled at Bakura.

“You did!” Bakura growled.

Malik stood between the two yamis and turned to Marik. “Bakura did nothing wrong. It wasn't even your fault, Marik. But you can't blame Bakura for all this.”

“But, he is not completely innocent!”

Ryou rubbed Bakura's back. “That doesn't give you two a reason to beat each other up and strangle each other! We have to get through this together! If we turn against each other, it will make it easier for our enemies to get to us!”

“Ryou's right! You guys can't just beat each other up!”

Bakura took Ryou's hand. “Come with me, Ryou. There's no use talking to him. If you think you can handle all this by yourself, Ishtar, go ahead.”

Bakura lead Ryou out of the room as the purple haze cleared.

Malik turned to Marik. “How could you do that to him?”

“I was defending myself. I CAN do that, you know.”

“Itemri is on our side, yami. He's a powerful ally.”

Marik crossed his arms. “It's not all my fault.”

Malik shook his head. “No, yami. It's not. Look. Bakura is under a lot of stress. He has been going nights and days without much sleep. He hasn't eaten much. He's been putting all his energy into protecting this house and Ryou and I. You are also under a lot of stress. Is it really fair to take it all out on him?”

Marik sat on the bed and took a deep breath. “You're right.”

“Bakura doesn't deserve all the blame. He's been trying to make things right in his own way.”

Marik ran his fingers through his hair. “You're right.”

“Bakura deserves better.”

Marik raised his eyes and looked at the open door. “I can't talk to him now.”

“Why don't you go to Robbie and Aten's to see the new baby with Ryou? I'll stay here and try to cool Bakura down.”

“He better not hurt you.”

Malik grinned. “He won't hurt me. I'll cool him down. You go out with Ryou. Maxine will be here.”

“Okay. I'll go.”

Malik nodded. “I'm glad. I'll go talk to them about it. Wait here.”

Marik watched Malik leave the bedroom and sighed. “Something's gotta give….somewhere.”

****************************

Seto's POV

I sat in my leather chair and tapped my finger on my desk. I might not have a good idea of what happened when Aria first arrived here at KaibaCorp that night, but I can certainly find out.

There are hidden cameras here just as in Rocher's office. No naïve CEO would be in business long without them. They were a blessing and a curse at the same time.

In Marik's case, they have proven themselves to be a curse.

But, in my case, it can be a blessing…..an answer to my question.

What happened that night in my office?

The hidden cameras would show everything.

I dialed Public Relations and Jay answered. [Hello, Mr. Kaiba.]

“Jay, bring me the office security disk from Wednesday from eight o'clock at night until the next morning.”

I hung up the phone and looked nervously outside.

What happened?

Why did it happen?

Is it because I denied my past?

I tried to suppress it. Did that lead to all this nonsense?

It felt forever that it took Jay to get to my office with the disk. I grabbed the disk and placed it into my computer.

“Stand outside, Jay.”

Jay left the office and I ran the program.

Aria was sitting on my desk when I entered the room.

[High Priest Seth…..]

I remember seeing her there.

[Aria….]

Aria touched my face. [My beloved Seth….]

[My goddess Aria…..]

This is where my memory fails me. I don't remember this.

[The pharaoh requires an heir…]

Aria pulled me into a class and I watched myself touch her sides and kiss her onto her back.

How could I do this? How could I betray her like this? Betray Umi?

I watched myself in horror as I began to kiss Aria's chest. My hand began to touch her chest….

I continued to watch in horror as Aria continued to call me her `High Priest'.

What I saw was innocent compared to what I was now witnessing……..

I was making love to Aria right on my own desk.

“The pharaoh needs an heir,” she continued moaning, whimpering, pleading, thrusting….

I stopped the disk, shaking.

My stomach tensed.

I felt nauseous.

Quickly, I grabbed the trash can and vomited.

It was wrong…..

It was dirty…..

“JAY! IN HERE NOW!”

Jay ran inside and I ejected the disk.

“Get this out of my sight! Destroy it!” I screamed at him, tossing the disk at him.

“Yes, sir, Mr. Kaiba.”

Jay left and I cringed. I felt so dirty. Disgusting.

I turned off my computer and walked to my bedroom. Thankfully, Joey was sleeping, so he didn't see me shaking on the way to the bathroom.

I stripped off my clothes and turned on the water. The steam rose from the fiercely hot water.

Dirty….

Disgusting….

Wrong….

I stepped into the tub, feeling the hot sting of the water.

Punishment.

I deserved it for what I have done.

The dirt wouldn't come off.

I can't believe I have done that to Aria.

I changed her diaper. I held her in my arms when she was a baby.

How could I…….?

How can I look her in the eyes again?

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